She kind of sounds like a friend of mine, who also bugs people. My friend is very outgoing and can talk about anything with anyone. She doesn't really see it as weird and she completely sucks at turntaking, she has no idea when it is her turn to speak. She has a hard time doing things in her home, so she escapes to other areas that someone else has structured for her, so to speak. There she is often known and people are whispering behind her back. She really come out as very strange, and I guess being a grown up doesn't in no way prevent bullying, although so far, she doesn't know what is going on...

People can usually not see on me I'm an aspie, because I'm a lot different than her socially. She is more well functioning in other areas than me, which others have a hard time to believe. But I guess we can't all have the same intensity of symptoms.

How is her living situation and how does she support herself without school?

I do think you are right in being worried about her going to be lonely in the future. Around here we have a few social groups for people with Asperger's which I think is a good idea, even if I haven't personally gone to them. They are just founded online and they are not run by anyone by themselves. I think it is a good idea, but oftentimes another aspie can tolerate quirks of another aspie.

But for things like that, she needs to know. She needs to not only know, but have some kind of special counseling like I had. I mostly used my counselor in other ways, but I think a person like her would be terrific to sort of meddle between a person with Asperger's and the NT world, without either looking down on aspies or NT's. A person like that could explain how people act and think, to make someone aware what the social rules are, without making the aspie feels like there is something wrong with her. It's a shame I can't email my counselor over.

Is she interested in the Internet any? In that case, there are several places to chat for spectrum people.

But of course, then you need the first step, letting her know what she is. It seems like you have been a very good and protective friend to her, and it is very heart warming to see that, since most people shy away from "strange" people in fear others will look down on them as well. Social fears is what is ruling the world it seems...

I also have stuffed toys. I wonder if having stuffed toys should be in the DSM diagnosing this. That, or being able to meow like a cat in the way that actually fools cats...

I don't know any good books right now, but there are some really terrific "survival handbooks" for aspies. Maybe someone else has a good title?

As for telling her... good luck with that. The way you explained things now, I can see how it should be done. And if she blows and thinks being an aspie is like calling people a bad name, tell her about me, LOL. (How terrific I am... no wait don't, LOL) But in all seriousness, I would never change the way I am for anything. Learn about me and the world to improve situations, sure, change what I am inside, never.